Day 088 - 13 Feb 95 - Page 03

     
     1
     2   Q.   And some, is it right, are kept inside, indoor units?
     3        A.  Yes, we have indoor units also.
     4
     5   Q.   Again, roughly speaking -- perhaps first I ought to ask you
     6        this, what is the nature of the indoor units?
     7        A.  Our indoor pig production is based on our family's
     8        historical involvement in pigs which has always been on the
     9        straw based system, obviously, for the well being of the
    10        pigs.
    11
    12   Q.   How many -----
    13
    14   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Excuse me.  Can you keep your voice up,
    15        please, Mr. Bowes?
    16        A.  I do apologise, sir.
    17
    18   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  If you speak back to Mr. Rampton, he is more
    19        or less central to those who have to hear but keep your
    20        voice up.
         A.  Thank you.
    22
    23   MR. RAMPTON:  How many sows do you keep in indoor units?
    24        A.  About 2,300.
    25
    26   Q.   How many do you keep in your outdoor facilities?
    27        A.  4,000.
    28
    29   Q.   I am going to ask you some questions about the conditions
    30        both outside and in more detail later on, Mr. Bowes, but
    31        can I ask you this, when the sows which are in the indoor
    32        units have had their piglets, where do the piglets go?  Are
    33        they kept indoors or do they go somewhere else?
    34        A.  We, as a company, have been the forerunner of
    35        introducing a system of weaning the pigs into outdoor
    36        kennels or bungalows, however one wishes to describe them.
    37        They are insulated, small kennels which are straw based.
    38        That is where the pigs or piglets from the indoor units go
    39        to for the next stage of growth.
    40
    Q.   When the piglets have been weaned are they exposed to the
    42        fresh air or are they inside?
    43        A.  These kennels I have just described are outside which
    44        are put on grass with straw beds, and they have the
    45        opportunity of the fresh air and sun at their own choice.
    46
    47   Q.   You should have by your right arm a yellow file with the
    48        Roman numeral IX on it called "Rearing and slaughter".  If
    49        you turn to tab 7 in that file you should be able to find
    50        the statement that you made for the purposes of these 
    51        proceedings? 
    52        A.  Yes, I have that. 
    53
    54   Q.   If you turn that over you should find behind it a copy of
    55        your coloured brochure.  My Lord, I have another one.
    56        A.  I have it here.
    57
    58   Q.   I think the Defendants have only got one.  Before we look
    59        at this brochure, Mr. Bowes, is yours a family-owned
    60        company?